What is Boba and Bubble Tea?

Bubble tea (also known as pearl milk tea, boba milk tea, boba juice or simply boba) is a Taiwanese tea-based drink invented in Taichung in the 1980s. Most bubble tea recipes contain a tea base mixed/shaken with fruit or milk, to which chewy tapioca balls or fruit jellies are often added. The “bubble” refers to the foam created by shaking the tea, which itself is called “pàomò tea, meaning “frothy/foamy” tea. Ice-blended versions are usually mixed with fruit or syrup, resulting in a slushy consistency. There are many varieties of the drink with a wide range of ingredients. The two most popular varieties are bubble milk tea with tapioca and bubble milk green tea with tapioca.

Traditional Boba

Tapioca Boba, also known as tapioca pearls, is derived from the starch of the cassava root. When cooked perfectly, Boba becomes a sweet chewy ball with a gummy-bear like texture about 1/4 of an inch in diameter.

There are many names for Boba. Originally, Boba drinks were called tapioca milk tea (or tapioca tea latte) or pearl milk tea. When it was introduced in Hong Kong, the locals called it Boba instead of Pearl because of its shape. Boba literally means “Big Pearls”.

Boba can be added to any drink: milk tea, icy, smoothies, juice and coffee. When boba is added to the tea, it adds a different texture to the creamy and smooth tea base. Boba is chewy, almost like gummy bears, but softer. When combined with the tea, it adds a fun twist to the drink.

Bursting Boba

Bursting Boba is one of the newest and most popular additions to bubble tea and smoothies. Bursting Boba is a unique boba that is filled with real fruit juice that burst in your mouth. Bursting Boba is considered revolutionary in boba technology and is the newest topping craze for all types of drinks and yogurts alike.

The outer shell of the Boba is made of seaweed extract, while the Bursting Boba is filled with real fruit juice, water and sugar.

Social Bean offers Bursting Boba in the following flavors: Green Apple, Mango, Orange, Passion Fruit, Peach and Strawberry. Pair these Bobas with our delicious Smoothies (made with real fruit!) to create your own favorite flavor. Smoothies are available in Strawberry, Honeydew, Mango and Peach.